The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “. . . You shall not copy the practices of the land of Egypt where you dwelt, or the land of Canaan to which I am taking you; nor shall you follow their laws. My rules alone shall you observe, and faithfully observe My laws: I the Lord am your God.’” (Leviticus 18:1-4)
This week we read two portions from the Torah, Acharei Mot and Kedoshim. Several sections in each form what many refer to as “the Holiness Code”, and the Rabbis of our literature have, for centuries, drawn lessons from the translation of the portions’ names: “even after death – be holy!”
Although the story referred to is the tragedy that befell Aaron’s sons, Nadav and Abihu, the tradition generalized an important lesson. As the Torah includes a list of prohibited sexual practices (the customs of Egypt and Canaan), the Midrash teaches us about life and death, as well. The Jewish way, we are taught, leads to kindness, compassion, self-respect and dignity. Rabbi Hanan interprets God’s warning about the Israelites’ turning away from the practices of the Egyptians and Canaanites as applying to the practice of kindness or sympathy. We respond to each other’s needs, and do what is right, rather than only care for our our own comfort and benefit. We need to be, in his terms, “a lily among the thorns”: we need to be a flowering source of beauty when our friends’ worlds seem overgrown with weeds or prickly thorns.
“After death – be holy!” The Jewish way is not to avoid the painful realities of death, but to respond with reverence. dignity and compassion (the same values which we must seek in sexual relations, too). The customs of Egypt and Canaan were to relegate the death and dying experience to the pagan priest – distancing and removing all opportunity of expressing concern or to the mourners. But our practice has always been to involve ourselves with the dying and the bereaved, centering around the family and community. Each of us demonstrates humanity and care, respect and love through acts of kindness at the time of death and through the grieving period that follows. We make ourselves the “lilies among thorns”.
Reflecting on Acharei Mot – Kedoshim is an ideal time for all to discuss and commit ourselves to acts of kindness and support for each other during the inevitable tragic moments of life. We can and we must be responsive and holy – after death, and throughout life!
Shabbat Shalom.
